WATCH: Islander's emotional plea to quash coronavirus gossip as mum is diagnosed

Melanie Taylor's mother, Di Dowinton, began suffering symptoms of covid-19 on 15 March and was admitted to The Princess Elizabeth Hospital on 23 March. On Saturday it was confirmed that she had tested positive for the virus, which medical staff had predicted last Tuesday.

'While we had been told to expect the diagnosis it still came as a shock and we were absolutely terrified,' said Mrs Taylor.

Mrs Dowinton works at St Peter's Post Office. Her family has a long connection with the West Show at which she is a prolific exhibitor in the flower arranging classes.

Mrs Taylor, who last saw her mother on admission day and who is self-isolating, said her mother was much brighter and improving slowly. It was hoped that she might be able to come out of hospital later this week.

'I'm exceptionally grateful to hospital staff who are putting their own lives at risk to save others and we are completely indebted to them.

'There is not a single person who can say that it will not happen to them and please listen to the experts who are doing a great job.

'I just want to be able to cuddle as a family again and get back to normal as soon as possible.'

She also wanted to put the record straight on another matter.

'I was made aware that it was being said on the grapevine that mum had cancer as well as the virus which is simply not true,' said Mrs Taylor.

'I'm grateful to the person who made me aware of it but it was really upsetting in what was such stressful time already and it only made the situation worse.'

Mrs Taylor said she would advise people to follow official advice during this global crisis.

'People need to stay at home, listen to the proper advice, and only go out if it's absolutely essential. I know of cars being driven around at night at excessive speed and that needs to stop. We need to flatten out this curve as quickly as possible.'

She now wanted to help those 'front-line' staff in the PEH who were doing such a fantastic job. She was also aware of what a great job the community nursing team were doing to.

Mrs Taylor runs her own on-line health and wellness network marketing company selling Arbonne products. When she heard of colleague's appeal to help nursing staff in the UK she decided to do the same in Guernsey.

'I won't make a penny out of it myself as I'll plough any commission I get back into the fund,' she said.

People are supposed to be washing their hands a lot at the moment and Mrs Taylor said her knuckles were red raw.

Arbonne hand cream is said to provide good relief from this so she intends to provide it to nursing staff. Likewise she wants to provide Fizz sticks, an energy drink made with natural ingredients, and Complete Hydration Sticks.

'When people are very busy they sometimes don't drink enough and these should help as far as that is concerned.'

Mrs Taylor is also a part-time secretary for the Guernsey Blind Association.

Donations can be made to www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/peh-meltaylor-covid19